Printing-press.



J. L. FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1a, 1913.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914,

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

J. L. FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1B, 1913.

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Z01? namylsl X73 11m mm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH L. FIRM, 0F BERWYN, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOSS PRINTING PRESS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PRINTING-PRESS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

Application filed August 18, 1913. Serial No. 785,395.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. FIRM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berwyn, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawmgs.

This invention relates to printing presses and has for one of its objects the provision of mechanism by the use of which the maximum product may be produced with a given number of printing plates.

More specifically, it is one of the objects of my invention to provide a construction and arrangement by which tubular plates may be used upon the form cylinder in connection with two impression cylinders, whereby each single page printing plate is utilized for producing two separate printed pages at each complete rotation of such printing plate.

It is another object of my invention to provide new and improved means for the support of a form cylinder provided with tubular plates.

It is another object of my invention to improve the construction and arrangement of presses of this type in sundry details hereinafter pointed out.

The means by which I have accomplished these objects are illustrated in the drawings and are hereinafter specifically described. That which I believe to be new is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 is an end view of my improved press, taken substantially on line 11 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a side view, as seen from the right in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the eccentric means for supporting the lower impression cylinders; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner of associating two webs, as seen substantially on line 44: of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the manner of associating the other two webs, as seen substantially on line 55 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the several figures of the drawings in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, 10 indicates a base, rising from which are two standards 11, between which are mounted a roll of paper 12, a form cylinder 13, and impression cylinders 14:15-

16 indicates two oppositelydisposed standards rising from the base 10, between which two standards are mounted a roll of paper 17, a form cylinder 18, and impression cylinders 19-20.

21 indicates standards, between which are mounted the form cylinder 22, impression cylinders 23-241, and two rolls of paper 25. As will be seen from an inspection of the drawings, the form cylinders 13 and 18 are located in parallel positions with the form cylinder 22 between them substantially at right angles thereto, the form cylinder 22 being approximately twice as long as the form cylinders 13-18.

Each of the impression cylinders 1520 24 is movable up and down in its supporting frame away from the coacting form cylinder by a stroke of the levers 26, as hereinafter described. As best shown in Fig. 3, each of the shafts 27, by means of which said impression cylinders are journaled in the frame work, are eccentrically mounted in bushings 28 which are journaled in the frame work. The levers 26 are non-rotatably secured upon said bushings by means of keys 29, which levers 26 are held against rotation relative to the frame by means of pins 30, which pass through suitable openings in said levers and in the frame work. As will be readily understood, when the pins 30 are withdrawn and the levers 26 are moved downward at each end of one of the impression cylinders, such impression cylinder will be moved bodily downward out of operative position relative to the form cylinder with which it coacts.

Each of the form cylinders 131822 has its shaft 31 supported at one end by the standard rising directly from the base 10, while at the other end said shaft 31 is supported by a comparatively thin arm 32 depending from the upper part of the standard whereby the tubular printing plate 33 is adapted to be slipped upon the end of the form cylinder with the longitudinal slot of the tubular plate passing over said arm 32. By reason of the slot in the tubular plate being adjacent to the upper impression cylinder, as the tubular plate is slipped upon the form cylinder the plate is free to move easily without scraping upon the impression cylinder. It will be understood, however, that the tubular plate could not well be placed upon the form cylinder with the slot of said plate uppermost Without having the lower impression cylinder first moved out of operative position by means of the levers 26 or in some other suitable way, as will be readily understood.

As an auxiliary support for the end of the shaft 31 of each form cylinder that is supported by the arm 32, I provide an arm 34 pivotally mounted upon a bracket 35 supported by the frame work, in such position as to be swung entirely out of line with the form cylinder. With the arm 3 1 swung in this way out of'alinement with the form cylinder and with the framework 11 cut away opposite the end of the form cylinder, except for the arm 32 of such framework, it will be understood that suitable clearance is provided to enable the plate to be positioned in alinement with the form cylinder at one end preparatory to being slipped longitudinally between the form cylinder and the impression cylinder into position upon the form cylinder. In the upper end of the arm 34- is mounted a screw-threaded pin 36, the inner end of which engages a suitable socket in the end of the shaft 31, serving to hold said shaft firmly during the operation of the machine. The arm 34 is held in operative position by means of a pin 37 passing through suitable openings in the bracket 35 and an arm 38 carried by the arm 31.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. I/Vith a full complement of eight printing plates mounted upon the form cylinders, with the lower impression cylinders locked in operative position and with the support ting pins 36 properly locked in position and adjusted, the press will be ready for the printing ope 'ation, the parts being driven by any suitable means not shown. The web 12 from the roll of paper 12 is passed between the impression cylinder 14: and the form cylinder 13 being printed upon its lower surface, passes thence over an anglebar 39 between the impression cylinder 23 and the form cylinder 22, being printed on the reverse side. The web 1'7 from the roll of paper 17 is passed between the form cylinder 18 and the impression cylinder 19 being printed upon its lower side, passing thence over the angle-bar 40 and between the form cylinder 22 and the impression cylinder 23, being printed upon its reverse side. The web 17 then passes over oppositely-disposed angle-bars 4:1- l 2 into register with the web 12 said two associated webs passing thence over a roller 43 to the former 1 1 and between fold laying rollers 15, whence they are passed to any suitable transverse folder.

The webs 25" and 25 pass from the rolls of paper 25 between the form cylinder 22 and the impression cylinder 27, where they are printed upon their upper faces. The web 25 then passes over the angle-bar 46 between the impression cylinder 15 and the form cylinder 13, where it is printed upon its opposite side, and thence over the angle bar 17. The web 25 passes from the form cylinder 22 over an angle-bar 4C8, thence between form cylinder 18 and impression cylinder 20, and thence over an angle-bar 19. The webs 2525 pass from the anglebars 4-7 19 parallel with each other to the roller 50, after which the web 25 passes over oppositely-disposed angle-bars 5152 by which it is brought into registry with the web 25. The webs 25 25 pass then over the roller 53, and are folded longitudinally by means of a former 54: and fold laying rollers 55, whence they pass to any suitable folder.

It will be understood that the associated webs 12 and 17 may be directed to one folder and the associated webs 25 and 25 may be directed to another folder, if desired. I do not restrict myself, however, to that form of device, inasmuch as both sets of associated webs may be directed to a single folder, if desired, of the type adapted to deliver two separate complete products.

It will be understood that in practice suitable inking mechanism and other aux iliary mechanisms will. be used in connection with the apparatus shown, in the manner well known in the printing press art, but inasmuch as such well known mechanism forms no part of my present invention, it is believed to be unnecessary to show such parts herein.

While I have shown the form cylinders 13 and 18 as adapted each to support only two plates abreast as compared to the four plates supported abreast upon the cylinder 22, it will be understood that I do not restrict myself to this particular form of construction, except as hereinafter specifically claimed.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

1. The combination of a form cylinder, an impression cylinder coacting therewith, and

means for moving said cylinders slightly toward and from each other whereby a printing plate may readily be slipped longitudinally between said cylinders into position upon said form cylinder suitable clearance being provided to enable the plate to be positioned in alinement with the form cylinder at one end preparatory to being slipped into position thereon between said two cylinders.

2. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, and an impression cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame and movable toward and from said form cylinder whereby a printing plate may readily be slipped longitudinally between said cylinders into position upon said form cylinder suitable clearance being provided to enable the plate to be positioned in alinement with the form cylinder at one end preparatory to being slipped into position thereon between said two cylinders.

3. The combination of a form cylinder, two impression cylinders coacting therewith, and means for supporting said cylinders adapted to permit of a longitudinally-slotted tubular printing plate being slipped longitudinally upon said form cylinder with its slot engaging said form cylinder and one of said impression cylinders at their point of contact, the body of said plate being passed between the form cylinder and the other of said impression cylinders.

4. The combination of a form cylinder, two impression cylinders coacting therewith, and means for moving said form cylinder and one of said impression cylinders slightly from each other whereby a longitudinally-slotted printing plate may readily be slipped longitudinally between said lastmentioned cylinders into position upon said form cylinder with its slot between said form cylinder and the other of said impression cylinders.

5. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, an impression cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame in position to coact with said form cylinder, and .a second impression cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame and movable toward and from said form cylinder to permit of a. longitudinally-slotted tubular printing plate being slipped longitudinally between said last-mentioned cylinders into position upon said form cylinder with its slot between said form cylinder and the other of said impression cylinders.

6. The combination of a frame, an impression cylinder revolubly mounted therein, a form cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame in position to coact with said impression cylinder, the frame support for one end of said form cylinder comprising a comparatively thin arm positioned on the line joining the axes of said cylinders, and a second impression cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame and movable toward and from said form cylinder to permit of a tubular printing plate being slipped longitudinally between said last-mentioned cylinders into position upon said form cylinder with the longitudinal slot therein passing over said arm.

7. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, and an impression cylinder mounted in said frame in position to coact with said form cylinder, the bearings for said impression cylinder being movable slightly toward and from said form cylinder whereby a printing plate may readily be slipped longitudinally between said cylinders into position upon said form cylinder, suitable clearance being provided to enable the plate to be positioned in alinement with the form cylinder at one end preparatory to being slipped into position thereon between said two cylinders.

8. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, and an impression cylinder mounted in said frame in position to coact with said form cylinder, means for moving said impression cylinder away from the form cylinder and returning it positively to operative position to permit a tubular printing plate being readily slipped longitudinally between said cylinders when separated, into position upon the form cylinder, suitable clearance being provided to enable the plate to be positioned in alinement with the form cylinder at one end preparatory to being slipped into position thereon between said two cylinders.

9. The combination of a form cylinder, an impression cylinder coacting therewith, means for moving said cylinders slightly toward and from each other, and a bearing for supporting one end of said form cylinder carried by a narrow fixed support in such manner that substantially the entire end of said form cylinder will be exposed at all times to permit a printing plate to be slipped into position thereon between said two cylinders.

10. The combination of a form cylinder, an impression cylinder coacting therewith, means for positively moving one of said cylinders a determined distance from the other and back into operative position, and a bearing for supporting one end of said form cylinder carried by a narrow fixed support in such manner that substantially the entire end of said form cylinder will be exposed at all times to permit a printing plate to be slipped into position thereon between said two cylinders.

11. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, said frame being cut away at one side of said form cylinder to expose substantially the entire end thereof, an impression cylinder also mounted in said frame in position to coact with said form cylinder, rotatable bearings carried by said frame in which said impression cylinder is eccentrically mounted, and means for turning said bearings to separate said cylinders that a printing plate may be readily slipped longitudinally between said cylinders into position upon said form cylinder.

12. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, said frame being cut away at one side except for a narrow standard to support the cylinder bearing whereby substantially the entire end of the form cylinder is left clear to permit a printing plate being slipped longitudinally upon the form cylinder, bushings rotatably mounted in said frame, an impression cylinder eccentrically mounted in said bushings coacting with said form cylinder, means for quickly turning said bushings to shift said impression cylinder out of and into operative position relative to said form cylinder to permit the ready insertion of a printing plate between said two cylinders upon the form cylinder.

13. The combination of a frame, a form cylinder revolubly mounted therein, the frame at one side of said cylinder being cut away to expose substantially the entire end of said cylinder, bushings revolubly mounted in said frame, an impression cylinder eccentrically mounted in said bushings coopera ting with said form cylinder, means for turning said bushings to carry said impression cylinder from and to the form cyl inder, and means for locking said bushings when in operative position against rotation, the arrangement and construction being such that a printing plate may be readily slipped longitudinally between said cylinders into position on said form cylinder.

14. The combination of a form cylinder, a second form cylinder positioned substantially parallel therewith, a third form cylinder opposite the space between said firstnamed two form cylinders substantially at right angles thereto and of an effective length equal to the aggregate lengths thereof, impression cylinders co-acting with said form cylinders respectively, means for turning webs of paper printed by said firstnamed and said second form cylinders for printing upon their reverse sides by said third form cylinders, and means for interposing one of said printed webs upon the other for folding into a completed product.

The combination of a form cylinder, a second form cylinder of equal length positioned substantially parallel therewith, a third form cylinder of double length positioned opposite the space between said firstnamed and said second form cylinders substantially at right angles thereto, impression cylinders coacting with said form cylinders respectively, means for turning webs of paper printed by said first-named and said second form cylinders for printing upon their reverse sides by said third form cylinder, and turning means for interposing one of said printed webs upon the other for folding .into a completed product.

16. The combination of a form cylinder, a second form cylinder of equal length p0- sitioned substantially parallel therewith, a third form cylinder of double length positioned opposite the space between said firstnamed and said second form cylinders substantially at right angles thereto, impression cylinders coacting with said form cylinders respectively, means for turning webs of paper printed by said first-named and said second form cylinders for printing upon their reverse sides by said third form cylinder, turning means for interposing one of said printed webs upon the other for folding into a completed product, additional impression cylinders coacting with said form cylinders respectively, means for turning webs of paper printed by said third form cylinder coacting with one of said lastnamed impression cylinders for printing upon their reverse sides by said first-named and said second form cylinders respectively coacting with their respective last-named impression cylinders, and means for interposing one of said last-named printed webs upon the other for folding into a completed product similar to the first-named completed product.

17. The combination of a form cylinder, a second form cylinder positioned substantially parallel thereto, a third form cylinder positioned substantially at right angles to said two form cylinders and of an eifective length equal to the aggregate lengths thereof, each of said form cylinders being provided with two impression cylinders adapted to coact therewith, turning means located in the angle between said first-named and said third form cylinders, other turning means located in the angle between said second and said third form cylinders, means for supporting a roll of paper adjacent to said first-named form-cylinder on the side thereof opposite that on which said firstnamed turning means are located, means for supporting a second roll of paper adjacent to said second form cylinder on the side thereof opposite that on which said second-named turning means are located, and means for supporting a third roll of paper adjacent to said third form cylinder on the side thereof opposite that on which said turning means are located, said firstnamed turning means being adapted to turn at right angles and to invert the webs from said first-named and said third rolls of paper after being printed by their adjacent by their adjacent form cylinders respecform cylinders respectively and to direct tively and to direct said webs each to the said Webs each to the other of said form other of said form cylinders.

cylinders, and said second-named turning JOSEPH L. FIRM. means being adapted to turn at right angles Witnesses:

and to invert the Webs from said second and W. H. DE BUsK,

said third rolls of paper after being printed ROPHENE FREEMAN.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addrelsing the Commissioner of Patent:, Washington, D. 0." 

